Game apparatus



(No Model.)

E. F. ROGERS.

GAMB APPARATUS.

No. 463,454. Patented Nov. v1'7, 189.1.

UNITED STATES` PATENT OFFICE.

ELISHA F. ROGERS, OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS.

GAME APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 463,454., dated November 17, 1891.

Application filed April 13, 1891. Serial No. 388,705. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ELISHA F. ROGERS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Salem, in the county of .Essex and State'of Massachusetts, have inventedl new and useful Improvements in Games, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification;

This invention relates to improvements in game apparatus; and it consists of a convenient portable bowling-alley, of any suitable size, constructed and arranged as will hereinafter be more fully shown and described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l represents a perspective View showing the improved portable game as closed when not in use. Fig. 2 represents a perspective view showing the gaine in position for playing. Fig. 3 represents a cross-section on the line X X, shown in Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 represents a detail perspective of one of the ball-guards.

Similar letters refer to similar parts wherever they occur on the different parts of the drawings.

The game consists of a pair of trays or hollow cases A A, which are flexibly connected at their adjacent sides by suitable hinges in such manner that they can open and close, and when closed one tray will constitute a closing-cover for the other tray. Each case or tray A has a raised longitudinal alley B, arranged centrally within it, which alley terminates in each end at a suitable distance from the end of the said tray A, as shown in Fig. 2.

C C represent the ten-pins, which may be set up at either end ot the alleys A A, as shown. Back of the place where the ten-pins are set up I use a preferably detachable ballguard D, for the purpose of preventing the balls and pins from being knocked off the trays A during the progress of the play. The ballguards are each composed of a U -shaped frame, Fig. 4, adapted to flt into either end of the trays, and are of such height that when in position they will rise above the edges of A the tray and constitute a guard 'for stopping the balls.

To the sides of each ofthe alleys B are hinged the cushions or boards E E, which, when not desired for use, are swung to a horizontal position in the bottom of the tray A, as shown in the upper halt of Fig. 2 and lefthand side of Fig. 3.

When it is desired to use the cushions E E,y

posite end, I secure to each end of each tray a detachable standard G, to the upper end of which aresecured a pair of parallel wires gg, the opposite ends of which are attached to a similar standard at the opposite end of the tray, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

y The standard nearest to the ten-pins in one tray is made somewhat higher than the opposite standard in the same tray, so as to cause the parallel wires g g to be held at a proper inclination for readily returning the balls to the players, and all that is necessary to do for this purpose is to place the balls on the highest portions of the wires g g, causing said balls to roll on said wires to their lowest portion, where they will be conveniently located for the players at the opposite ends of the alleys.

The posts or standards G are made detachable, so that they can be removed and stored in the trays. The posts or standards for each tray are of different height, so that by reversing the position of the posts-that is, by placing the short posts at kthe points occupied by the long posts in the drawings-the inclination of the wires g will be reversed, whereby the balls can be returned from either end of each tray.

This improved game may be of any suitable size and may be supported on a table or on suitable stands, according to its size, as may be most convenient.

The gaine is played in the usual manner of playing ten-pins, one or more players taking their positions while playing at opposite ends the player in one end by the player in the op- IOO of the game, or,if so desired, both sets of tenpins may be located at the same end and the players at the opposite 'end Without departing from the essence of my invention.

That I Wish to secure by Letters Patent and claim is 1.. Aportable bowling-gaine apparatus consisting of a pair of flexibly-connected trays, each provided with a raised continuous alley, a ball-guard, ball-returning wires, and a set of pins adapted to be set up at either end of the alleys, substantially as described.

2. A portable bowling-game apparatus consisting of a pair of trays liexibly connected at their sides to open and close, and one consti-p tilting a cover for the other, each tray having a raised continuous alley, a detachable ballguard, and detachable posts ot" diderent height connected by parallel wires, and sets of pins adapted to be set up at either end of the alleys, substantially as described.

3. A portable bowling-game apparatus con- Sistina,r of a pair of flexibly-connected trays,

'each provided with a continuous raised alley,

a detachable ball-guard adapted to fit either end of each tray, pairs of detachable posts of different heights connected by parallel wires for returning theballs, and sets of pinsad apted to be set up at either end of the alleys, substantially as described.

4. Aportable bowling-game apparatus consisting of a pair of flexibly-connected trays, each provided with a raised alley, aset of ten.- pins, and a detachable ball-guard adapted to fit into the tray at either end of the alley, substantially as described.

5. A portable bowling-game apparatus consisting of a pair of flexibly-connected trays, each provided With a continuous raised alley, a detachable ballguard, detachable posts connected by parallel wires, sets of pins adapted to be set up at either end of the alleys, longitudinal cushions hinged to the opposite sides of each alley, and means for holding the cush ions in vertical positions, substantially as described. i

G. The improved bowling-game apparatus consisting of a pair of trays or cases connected together and having raised alleys, combined with detachable standards and Ways for returning the balls to the players, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribin g,witnesses, on this9th day of April, A. D. 1891.

ELISHA F. ROGERS.

Witnesses:

ALBAN ANDRN, ANDREW W. ROGERS. 

